At least one got free…

It was a long wait for the many supporters but Chan Soveth, a Human Rights investigator with the NGO ADHOC, walked out of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court as a free man. He was accused of having helped people in relation to a so-called ‘secessionist movement’ in Kratie’s Broma village last May, when a 16-year old girls was killed by soldier’s gun fire during an eviction. Mam Sonando, owner of the independent ‘Beehive’ radio and head of the ‘Association of Democrats’ movement was accused of having been involved in the same eviction and was sentenced (see here) to 20 years in jail.

Day after tomorrow the Human Rights organisations and observers, as well of course as the Borei Keila and the Boeung Kak Lake communities will be on the edge as the trial of Yorm Bopha and Tim Sakmony will take place at that same Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 24/12/2012: Chan Soveth, an ADHOC employee, leaving the Phnom Penh Municipal Court after the judge released him from the charges of aiding an unnamed “perpetrator” in relation to a so-called secessionist movement in Kratie province’s Broma village in May.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 24/12/2012: Members of the Borei Keila, the Boeung kak Lake and people from as far as Prey Veng province wait at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for the verdict of Chan Soveth, employed by the Human Rights organisation ADHOC, and charged of aiding an unnamed “perpetrator” in relation to a so-called secessionist movement in Kratie province’s Broma village in May.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 24/12/2012: Members of the Borei Keila, the Boeung kak Lake and people from as far as Prey Veng province wait at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for the verdict of Chan Soveth, employed by the Human Rights organisation ADHOC, and charged of aiding an unnamed “perpetrator” in relation to a so-called secessionist movement in Kratie province’s Broma village in May.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 24/12/2012: Chan Soveth, an ADHOC employee, leaving the Phnom Penh Municipal Court after the judge released him from the charges of aiding an unnamed “perpetrator” in relation to a so-called secessionist movement in Kratie province’s Broma village in May.